Mainstream Renewable Power says it has completed installation of the first turbine at Senegal’s first utility-scale wind farm.
Ireland-based Mainstream announced that its Africa-based joint venture, Lekela, will eventually install 46 Vestas V126 turbines at the Taiba N’Diaye wind farm in the semi-arid Sahel plain of Senegal.
The 158 MW project will boost Senegal’s energy generation capacity by 15 per cent and will also be the largest wind farm in west Africa. Construction of the project marked a “significant milestone” for the project, located 90 km northeast of Dakar, Mainstream said.
Lekela’s Senegal General Manager, Massaer Cisse, said: “Seeing the first turbine go up has been a moment of great pride for all of us who have worked hard in making Taiba N’Diaye a reality. We are excited to build the rest of the turbines, which uses the latest technology to harness the best in a renewable energy source.
“What’s more, the construction has generated hundreds of employment opportunities. We have also worked closely with local stakeholders to create a 20-year social investment programme that will benefit the local area. This includes initiatives that will create infrastructure and services for workers, and also encourage local enterprise and school education.”
The 3.45 MW Vestas turbines have 117 m towers and 61.7 m blades.
Lekela is 60 per cent owned by Actis and 40 per cent by a group led by Mainstream. It is scheduled to supply energy to the national grid later this year.
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